4 Reasons to Ride Every Day (And 6 Tips for Doing it Right)

As much as I ride my bike—and I ride it an awful lot—I don't use it for transportation as often as I should, which is something I've been trying to be better about over the years. I work from a home office, so daily bike commuting isn't in the cards. But I also live in a town and am no more than a mile away from the grocery store, the bike shop, and the Bicycling magazine offices. I've discovered that depending on where I need to go, it's often faster by bike. And statistics show that trips of less than 3 miles are often faster by bike, and those 5 to 7 miles in length take about the same time by bike as by car. Longer trips will take more time than in a car, of course. But even if you spend an extra 20 minutes or half hour riding, it's always more pleasant than sitting in a car.

And hey, it's better for you and the environment. Census figures show that we Americans spend an average of almost an hour a day on our daily commutes. Tack on to that the 38 hours a year we spend stuck in snarled traffic (a figure highway experts warn could quadruple in coming decades), then figure in our daily errand-driving miles (which have more than doubled since 1969), and we practically live in our bucket seats. If you spend even some of that daily drive time pedaling instead, you'll reap numerous rewards, including the following.

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The Benefits of Riding

jacme31 via flickr

A better body.Bike to work, and you no longer need to make time to exercise. Rack up just three hours of riding time per week, and you can slash your risk of heart disease and stroke in half. Plus, you'll lose the gut and unwanted flab—no diet required.

More money. The average annual cost of keeping an automobile running: at least $3,000. The cost of a year's worth of bike repairs: less than $300. The joy of saving more than two grand this year: priceless.

Cleaner air. The number of communities that will fall out of compliance with the Clean Air Act is expected to triple within a decade. Motorized vehicles are responsible for 70 percent of the carbon monoxide, 45 percent of the nitrogen dioxide, and 34 percent of the hydrocarbons people produce. Riding a bike is a simple way to improve the environment.

It's getting easier. It's also the perfect time to start commuting, as many communities around the United States are striving to make themselves more bicycle friendly by installing miles of bike lanes, wider shoulders, and bike racks for parking. If you're a new commuter, you'll likely have a few logistical details, such as routes and carrying bags, to sort out before actually making the trip. Here are some tips for making your maiden voyage smooth sailing.

Select Your Route

Depending on where you live, you may follow the roads you drive on your bike, or you may need to find a bike route that avoids highways or unsafe roads. Your local bike shop can assist you in choosing the best routes to your destination. It also may have bike maps that show bike-friendly routes in your region, so you can try several different routes.

Another option is to explore any one of the online mapping services like Google Maps and MapQuest, which allow you to investigate all the back roads between you and your destination.

Protect Your Skin

Pedaling away the hours in the great outdoors is wonderful for your body and soul, but it can be a little tough on the skin. Sun, wind, and chafing all can take their toll. Here's how to keep yours protected.

Use sunscreen. A funny thing about riding is that you often don't feel like you're getting burned by the sun until it's too late, likely because of the cooling breeze you create as you slice through the air. Well, you can't ride away from the sun's dangerous UV rays, so protect yourself with a sweatproof, waterproof, long-lasting sunscreen. (We like the SPF 30 sunscreen spray made by COOLA; you can buy some for yourself through our store.)

Consider sun sleeves. If you're particularly sensitive to the sun, consider a pair of summer sun sleeves. They have UV protection built into the fabric and are designed to keep you cool in the hot summer sun.

Protect against saddle sores. Some people can ride their whole lives without ever chafing or succumbing to saddle sores. Others simply have more sensitive skin. If you're in the latter camp, buy a little chamois cream like Chamois Butt'r and rub it on your nether regions and upper thighs before you ride. It'll prevent chafing and saddle sores on long rides. Even if you never have to use it, have some on hand for days you might be caught in the rain. Wet chamois equals a sore, chafed butt. I don't typically need chamois cream, but I always wear it if there's a chance of rain.

Lose the shorts. There are riders who will sit around in their clammy chamois for hours after the ride is over. Kindly don't be one. Once you're off your bike, lose the shorts as soon as you can, wipe down with some baby wipes (or at least a little water), and pull on some clean clothes. Your behind will thank you.

Cover up when it's cold. Cold, dry air can not only leave your skin dry and cracked, but also be hard on your joints and connective tissues—especially your knees. The cartilage in your knees is elastic when warm but a little brittle when cold. Keep your hinges toasty and fluid with leg warmers or petroleum jelly when the temp dips below 70.

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